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Best Ways To Celebrate Hanukkah In Baltimore

December 7, 2012 6:00 AM

Hanukkah is a time to remember Judah Maccabee and the Jewish resistance to the Greek attempt at a cultural takeover around 168 B.C. Banned from learning the Torah, death awaited those who refused to worship Greek idols. Meanwhile, the Jewish people were not allowed to perform integral religious customs, such as circumcision or maintaining a kosher diet. When the Maccabees and rebels finally took back the city of Jerusalem, they discovered enough oil in the ruined temple to last for one night, yet the lights miraculously lasted for eight nights, which is why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight nights and is commonly referred to as the festival of lights. These are the best ways to celebrate Hanukkah in Baltimore.

credit: chanukahhouse.com

The Chanukah House

Those who celebrate Christmas may have the “Miracle on 34th” in Hampden, but close by is the wonderful light display at the Chanukah House. A welcoming Shalom greeting follows an array of lights, dreidels and holiday decorations. A large menorah is lit from right to left to honor the miracle of Hanukkah. Sing along, or listen to Jewish songs and prayers while basking in the glow of the lights.

Teen Chanukah Party

No matter the holiday, it’s no fun to be around family all the time. Teenagers may take a break from all of the fuss by meeting up with friends or making new ones, at the JCC Chanukah party. Teens enjoy tasty food, watch television and play games to win prizes safely away from parents. While there, check out if a membership could benefit your family, from youth camps to fitness classes and other fun events.

The exhibition looks at the post-war move from urban to suburban life between 1945 and 1968 shown through the Jewish perspective. Enjoy a special dinner and donuts on the second night of Hanukkah, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. before a free screening of the film “Diner” (1982) by local writer and director, Barry Levison at Hodson Hall. The movie follows Steve Guttenberg, Kevin Bacon and Mickey Rourke as they grow from college-aged buddies to mature adults while frequenting a Baltimore diner in 1959.

Chosen Food: Cuisine, Culture and American Jewish Identity

In the time of Judah Maccabee, the Jewish people were forced by the Greeks to eat pork, breaking a kosher diet which is one of the fundamental daily customs of Judaism. The Jewish believe food is supposed to act as a way to maintain family bonds and reflect on time-honored traditions. Learn more about the history and dishes of Jewish cuisine by visiting the Chosen Food exhibition, which runs through the end of the month. Discover why certain foods are considered kosher, and why latkes, also called potato pancakes, are eaten during Hanukkah.

Goldberg’s Bagels

Speaking of food, Hanukkah wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Pikesville area, Goldberg’s Bagels in particular. This popular kosher restaurant specializes in bagel sandwiches, deli foods, blintzes and rugelach. Stop by to nosh on a Jewish favorite, nova lox on a bagel, or indulge in classic favorites from French toast to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Goldberg’s also recently expanded to Timonium.

Vanguard Video

The fight to maintain Jewish culture against impossible odds has made its way into popular films. In hip Mount Vernon, Vanguard Video offers entertaining rentals perfect for Hanukkah. Watch “Fiddler on the Roof “(1971) for a taste of Jewish traditions amidst pre-revolutionary Russia, where a father looks to marry off his daughters. “Schindler’s List” (1993) is a historical drama about how detrimental the Holocaust was to the Jewish people, while “Inglourious Basterds” (2009) is a fictional retelling of what would happen to Nazi-occupied France if a group of Jewish-American soldiers were sent over to fight fire with fire.

Pam Smith graduated from Penn State with a B.A. in English and a passion for writing. Her adaptive nature led her to work in the scientific, energy supply, and business industries while writing on a multitude of topics for various online media. Pam currently resides in Baltimore County. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.